Articulator



co'r-i- AR/TICULATOR Sept. 2, 195

3 Sheets-S 1 Filed June 8, 1950 3nvento W w m G Sept. 2, 1952 J ESCQTT 2,608,761

. ARTICULATOR Filed June 8, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WI/I/l /////L// Jnventor Cittornegs sept. 2, 1952 SCOTT 2,608,761

ARTICULATOR Filed June 8, 1950 3 Sheets"-Sheet 5 27 28 Ihmentor c/osgo/g t. 500/) Patented Sept. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT- f OFFICE ARTICULATOR v v I Joseph E. Scott, Pratt Ka ns. v I I Application June 8, 1950', s riai' rio. 166,789

' 7 Claims.

This invention relates to articulators for 'use in the construction of artificial dentures and has for itsprincipal object to provide an articulator with a mandibular, movement capable of reproducing the natural action of the lower jaw thereby permitting placement of the teeth within the'bite plates so as to give the proper tooth contacts and clearances of the teeth of the finished dentures.

Other objects of the invention are-to provide an articulator having a movable mandible arm and an incisal guide'therefor' which areof simple construction and capable of adjustment in correspondence with the cusp angle of the posterior teeth; and to provide a removable templet support on the articulator to facilitate setting of the teeth in the upper bite plate.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved structure the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: I V

7 Fig. l is a side elevational view of an articulator embodying the features of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the artic ulator. I w 1 Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central section through the articulator. v Fig. 4 is a plan view of the articulator. s Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an articulator embodying a slightly modified formof the invention. v e

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the form of invention shown in Fig. 5 particularly illustrating the right and left stops for limiting lateral stroke of the mandible arm.

' Fig. 'Tis a fragmentary section on the line 1- -1 Fig;.5. Referring more in detail to the drawings and first to the form of the invention illustrated'in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive: l designates anarticulator constructed in accordance with the present invention and which is used to facilitate setting of the teeth in the 6 that controls the relative movement of the plates as later to be described. The rear orwider portion 1 of the base plate is carried at the sides on legs 8 which cooperate with a clamping screw 3 having a shank I 0 provided with a reduced and threaded terminal ll passing through a clamping plate l2 andfithroughkafslotted opening l3 in a plate'portion. M ore; bracket l5 that is adjustably supported under theba'se plate 2 and adapted to be retracted or projected relatively to the forward portion ,of the base plate for adjusting the incisalfpin guide table 6 as best shown 3. The adjusting screw 9 has a knurled head by which alshoulder-ll on'the shank I0 is turned into contact with the clamping plate l2 forbringing the clamping plate into clamping contact with the plate portion M of the bracket and the plate portion l4 into contact withthe baseplate 2.. The knurled headalso forms extended footing area to support stably the front of the articulator. H

The incisal table guide includes a. substantially semi-circular tableportion 18 having. depending spaced apart wingsla and 20 that are toaccommodate' a'forward extension 2| ofthe bracket I5 therebetween and which carries a transversepivot shaft 22 extending through .a transverselyv arranged tubular bearing portion 23,0f the bracket extension 2|, the ends of the shaft journaling the wings I3 and 20. Qonnecting the wings is an arcuate guide 24 having ,a'centralslot 25 extend.-

mg arcuately about the .axis of the shaft 22 .for

passing a threaded terminal 26 of a clamp screw 21 having a shankportion 28 of larger diameter the cusp angle ofthe posterior teeth to be used,

The' plate portion of the incisal table also has; an upstanding flange extending around'the ar cuate side'thereof to limit the forward movemen of the mandible-armlas later described,

Adjustably supported by'the flange 30 of the incisal tableguide are right and left stops 3! and 32 that-are adjustable circumferentially of the incisal tableguide, the stops being retained in adj'u'sted position by clamping screws 33 having reduced shank portions extendingthrough'slots 34 at the opposite endsof the flange 30 and into the respective stops. converging sides 3| and 3l"'so that the inner sides 3|" are in planes passing through the axis of the flange.

The maxilla arm 35 of the articulator includes a substantially triangular plate portion 36 having The stops 3| and 32 have trea -261 :the'same angle; .Thestops. 3| and-32 are-then adjusted to limit movement of the incisal pinto thecsright and. left in accordance with .the .right and. left. movementi for the patients, jaw; After lsetting up the upperteethpthe lower bite plate is frepiaced on the lower model. and the-lower 'teeth arevset;,upxin occlusion with: the 'upper' teeth.

."Afterrinitialsetting upof-the teeth, thexmandible; arm is moved with the incisal pin moving in its .orbit on the guidertable. If the-teethsare .properlyset the;:.1owe'r plate iwilliibe molvable 'mentsof. a patie'rits jaw .to= assureiplacemehttof the teeth sofas toprovi'de'the pro ertootli"contactzx :7 l p Y .'ii"Ilf'fclainif'v 1 LI. --1 1" v r11: Anxarticulator' includingeaii base .inember having laterally-spaced uprights, trunriionsirpportshaying cam slots provided with upper and :loweri curving portions, means pivotally t-mountingizsaidtrunnion supports for movement on a horizontal axis to change the angularit'y of the camslots according to the-'angularity of the cusps of the posterior-teeth 'whichare: to be employed when thearticulator is in use; a mandible arm for supporting-a lower bite plate and having rearwardly extending arm portions provided with upwardly extending terminals, trunnions carried on said terminals and extending, through said cam slots so that when the mandible: armi-is moved and a trunnion rotates inone cam slot the other trunnion moves down following the curvature in the other cam slots analogous to rotation of 'the 'head'of the condyles the sides-of a lower-jaw, an incisal pin carried by the mandible' 'arm,-an incisal guide having pivotal mounting o'n the base -about a transverse horizontal axis forgdefiningan'orbital path for movement of th incis'al pi n,' me ans for securing the incisalguide in an adjusted angular position relative to its pivotal mounting to retain the incisal guide at an angle corresponding with the cusp angle of the posterior teeth to be used for effecting said trunnion movement when the incisal pin is moved in said orbital path, a maxilla arm for supporting an upper bite plate, and means hinge'dly supporting the maxilla arm above the mandible arm.

2. An articulator including a base member having laterally spaced uprights, trunnion supports having cam slots provided with upper and lower curving portions, means pivotally mounting said trunnion supports for movement on a horizontal axis to change the angularity of the cam slots according to the angularity of the cusps of the posterior teeth which are to be employed when the articulator is in use, a mandible arm for supporting a lower bite plate and having rearwardly extending arm portions provided with upwardly extending terminals, trunnions carried on said terminals and extending through said cam slots so that when the mandible arm is moved and a trunnion rotates in one cam slot the other trunnion moves down following the curvature in the other cam slot analogous to rotation of the head of the condyles on sides of a lower jaw, an incisal pin carried by the mandible arm, an incisal guide having pivotal mounting on the base about a transverse horizontal axis and having a table portion supporting the incisal pin and,

6 provided with an arcuate flange with .theZi-innerisidevfacing the trunnion mounting .of the mandible arm, laterally disposed stopsscooperatihg with the arcuate flange in: supporting andrdefiningta-n .orbital path for movement-.ofritheiincisalglpin, means for securing thesincisalz'guide with :said table portion in an adjusted angular position relative to its pivotalmountingand'invaccoi'dance with the cusp angle .ofrthe .posteriorsteeth to :be used for zeflectingzsai'd trunnion-.movement whens-the incisal pinis-movedin'said .orbital'patli, azmaxilla" arm,- and meansz hingedlyrsupp'ortin the.- maxilla arm above the mandible arm. I 3;;An articul tor including-z agbaserimembe having: laterallyospacedz'uprights, trunnion supports; having cam slots provided. with rup'p'er: and lower curving portions, means pivotallyrjmounting said trunnion supports 'for movement on a hon-'- zontal axis to cha'nge the angularity of ithel'c'am slots according to the angulari'tyrofithe icuspsrof the posterior. teeth which 'a'reto ibe' 'employed when the articulatoris in use,' a -mandiblearm for supporting a, lower bitevplateand having re'arwardly extending arm'portions'provided with upwardly extending "terminals; trunnions carried orit's'aid terminals and-extending through said cam slots so thatrwhenthe"mandible arm' is moved and a trunnion rotates in o'ne'cam'slot the other trunnion moves down following' the cur-vae- .tiire in the other cam slot analogous'to rotation o'f the heads'of thecondyles onsides' o'f -'a lower jaw, an incisal pin earriedby the mandible arm, an' incisal guide having pivotaln'i'ounting 'on the base about a transverse horizo'ntal axis-and having a table portion withan'arcuate 'flahge with"='-th'e inner curvature facing the pivotal mounting, laterally disposed stops having an ad- "justable mounting" on the arc'uate flange and having guide faces. intersecting the axis' the arcuate flange to cooperate -therewith=--prov1ding an orbital path for movement "of 5 the incisal pin,

means for securing theinci sal guidewith the-table portion in an adjusted angular position relative to said pivotal mountingto" retain the-table portion at an angle inacc'ordanc'e' with"the 'cusp angl'e of the posterior teeth to be used for effecting said trunnion movement when the incisal pin is moved in said orbital path, a maxilla arm, and means hingedly supporting the maxilla arm above the mandible arm.

4. An articulator including a base member having laterally spaced uprights, trunnion supports having cam slots provided with upper and lower curving portions, means pivotally mounting said trunnion supports for movement on carried by the mandible arm, an incisal guide.

having pivotal mounting on the base about a transverse horizontal axis for defining an orbital path for movement of the incisal pin, means for securing the incisal guide in an adjusted angular position relative to its pivotal mounting to retain the incisal guide at an angle corresponding with the cusp angle of the posterior teeth to be used tot: effecting said. trunnion movement of the mandibleiarm when theinoisal pin is moved in said orbital path, means 'hingedly supporting the maxilla arm" at theupper portions of the spaced uprights; .an occlusaltrod carried on the maxilla 1am and .having'bearing' support upon a part off. said base. i a i 5;: An articulator' including a base member having laterally spaced uprights, trunnion sup- ,portsihaving cam slotsprovided with iupperand .lower curving portions, meanspivotally mounting said: trunnion :supports' :for imovement'; on horizontal taxis to :Ichange fth'etangularity :of the cam slots "according "tot-the angularityi'cofi the cusps of the posterior teetlitwhich' are to .beluse'ci-pa mandible 'arm having rearwardly extending arm portions provided with upwardly extending :terminals, trunnionscarried'on said terminalsand extending through said cam .so that when :a trunnionrotates in one cam slot the'other: lll'lllllnion-moves down following the ,curvaturerin the other cam slot analogous to rotationxof the heads ofithe condyles on sides of a lower: 'jaw, "an incisal pin carried by the mandible arm, a bracket having adjustable support on a forward part of the'base member, an incisal guide having pivotal mountingon the bracket about atransverse horizontal axis and having means forming an orbital path 'for the incisalpin to effectsaid movements otithe trnnnions in the cam-slots, a maxilla arm, and means hingedly supporting themaxilla arm-above the mandible arm. a r '6. An articulator including a base member having laterally spaced uprights, trunnion supports having cam slots provided with upper and lower curving portions, means pivotally mountingsaid trunnion supports for movement on horizontal axis to change the angularity of the camslotsaccording to the angularity of the cusps of itheposterior teeth which are to be used, a mandible arm havin rearwardly extending arm portions provided with upwardly extending terminals; trunnions carried onsaid terminals and extending through said cam so that when a trunnionrotatesin one :cam slot the other trunnion 8 moves down -following the 'curvaturein the other cam slot analogous to rotation'of the headsof the condyles on sides of a lower jaw, an incisal pin carried by the mandible: arm za bracket having adjustable support on 'a forward part 'of the base memberyan incisal guide having pivotal mounting on the' bracket about a transverse horizontal axis and having meansfo'rm'ing an orbital pathfor the-incisal pin to effect said movements of the trunnions in the cam slots, a maxilla arm'pi'means' hingedly supporting. the maxilla arm abovethe mandible arm, anexten- 'sionon said 'bracket;aand an-occlusal rod fixed to'a forward portion of the maxilla arm-and having bearing support on said extension.

-'7. An artioulator inclu'dinga base member having'laterally spaced'uprights', amandible arm support .on said-terminal, atemplet plate, and

an arm'carrying the templet plate and having adjustable support in said clamp member.

JOSEPH; E. SCOTT.

REFERENCES crrEp- The following references are of record in the f le of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,022,055 Weiss 1. Apr. 2, 1912 1,324,429 Mannon et a1." Dec. 9, 1919 1,815,956 Ralph July 28, 1931 1,848,267 Perkins Mar. 8,1932

72,258,473 Scott Oct; '7-, 1941 2,315,338 ;King Mar. 30, 1943 

